Which Sea Pines’ landmarks weathered the hurricane?

Hurricane Matthew left thousands of downed trees in Sea Pines, making it difficult for recovery crews to assess the community’s iconic landmarks that are loved by residents and visitors alike.

Monday, a reporter with The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette was able to visit several of the sites:

▪  Harbour Town Lighthouse: The striped lighthouse, Hilton Head’s best-known landmark, appears unaffected. But it has not yet been assessed for structural damage, according to Community Services Associates, which manages Sea Pines.

▪  Gregg Russell Harbour Town Playground: A large tree at the center of the popular place for children to play at Harbour Town fell in the storm and is lying across the playground equipment.

▪  Harbour Town shops: There does not seem to be any flooding or major damage to any of the shops.

▪  Harbour Town’s Liberty Oak: The tree that shades the performance space for popular family entertainer Gregg Russell does not appear to have any significant damage.

▪  Harbour Town Golf Links: The course, site of the annual RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, will need some significant cleanup. There are downed trees and debris along the course. The storm surge during Matthew did not wash onto the course’s iconic oceanside 18th hole, so no saltwater seems to have damaged the area. Most recovery will be tree and debris removal.

▪  Sea Pines Beach Club: There is no structural damage to the new Sea Pines Beach Club. But the dunes on the beach have been significantly eroded, according to the CSA.

▪  Salty Dog Cafe: Tree removal crews are still unable to access the popular tourist spot.

▪  Heritage Farm: The site, composed of residents’ garden plots, had extensive flooding during the storm.

▪  Lawton Stables: The stables, known for its pony rides, petting zoo and one giant Clydesdale named Harley, appear undamaged. Harley, the trail horses and other animals were evacuated Oct. 5.

This story was originally published October 10, 2016 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Which Sea Pines’ landmarks weathered the hurricane?."